Baripada: The Maryubhanj district administration has been successful in rescuing child labourers as well as educating and skilling and providing them employment.
Thousands of child labourers were rescued from different parts of the state in February 2017 through the efforts of Collector Rajesh Prabhakar Patil.
Twenty of these rescued children were provided training in multiple trades at a private institute in Gopalpur. Unfortunately, one of them died due to some medical problem during the training period.
Now, their two-year training is over and the 19 child labourers will be provided jobs in a private company February 15.
A special programme will be organised to hand over employment letters to these 19 youths here. The CEO of the Skill Development Authority, Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, will be the chief guest and will hand over the appointment letters.
While serving as the Collector of Mayurbhnaj district, Patil had launched the ‘Mu Bi Padhibi’ drive in the district in 2013 to educate school dropouts aged between six and 14.
During the drive, 5,525 kids were rescued and admitted to schools. Of them, 500 used to work in hotels and garages.
The district administration had allocated Rs 31.40 lakh to fund the education, training and hostel expenses of these 20 kids.
Of the 20 kids, six were orphans, while six others had only a single parent. The children were rescued from Baripada, Kaptipada, Karnajia, Udla, Shuliapada, Shyamakhunta, Jashipur, Kuliana, Bisoi, Khunta and Bangiriposi.
The problem of child labour has been increasing in the district. Seeing the spectacular success of the drive, many organisations have been demanding its reintroduction.
PNN
